Dr. Bert van Zutphen, professor emeritus of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, is the winner of the 2005 Russell and Burch Award for, among other accomplishments, co-founding the World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences.
The Russell and Burch award is bestowed every few years by The Humane Society of the United States to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution toward advancing the Three Rs of replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use in research. This year, the award ceremony took place on August 24 at the Fifth World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences in Berlin. It carried a cash prize of $5,000.
Van Zutphen co-founded the World Congress in 1993, and was the primary organizer of the Second World Congress in 1996. He also co-founded the Netherlands Centre for Alternatives. In the mid-1980s he established laboratory animal science courses for students, young scientists, and veterinarians that emphasized the 3Rs. These courses were later mandated by law, and served as a model recommendation for the education of scientists.
Dr. Martin Stephens, HSUS vice president for Animal Research Issues, presented the award to Van Zutphen, stating, "The HSUS is delighted to recognize Bert van Zutphen for his career-long contributions to promoting the refinement of animal research for the benefit of both animal welfare and good science."
The Russell and Burch program recognizes the important role that scientists can, and do, play in advancing the cause of animal protection in laboratories. Candidates for the award are judged on the scientific merit of their contribution to the alternatives field and on their professional commitment to this field. Contributions can be in any aspect of bioscience, including biomedical research, testing, or higher education.
